“Following the
shortlisting process nine people were invited to the preliminary interview
stage. Seven people attended the preliminary interview and four were invited to
the final interview stage.”

Ms Anne O’Connor is
the current interim DG, having taken over from former interim DG Mr John
Connaghan in late 2018. Mr Connaghan had replaced Mr Tony O’Brien following his
high-profile departure in May 2018.

Speaking on the announcement of Mr Reid’s appointment, Taoiseach Leo
Varadkar said: “Paul Reid takes up this post at a critical time of change and
reform in our health services. For the first time in a long time, we have the
resources, we have the plan, and we have the people to move forward.”